Peace Implementation Council Steering Board: BiH Institutions Must Respect International Law

Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board today expressed grave concerns about the recent decision of the BiH Council of Ministers to create a national review mechanism to address the issue of police officers denied certification by International Police Task Force (IPTF). Several Ambassadors felt that such a mechanism would violate UN Security Council Resolutions and Annex 11 of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The OHR’s Senior Deputy High Representative, Peter Bas-Backer, briefed Ambassadors today about actions taken by OHR so far and his talks with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg.

The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, has seen this issue as one that requires urgent action since the beginning of his mandate. OHR staff have worked with International Community partners and the BiH institutions to find a solution.

At the same time, the High Representative is obliged to uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement and international law. He has therefore called upon the Council of Ministers to respect fully its obligations under international law.

Were the Council of Ministers decision to be implemented, the High Representative would have no choice but to consider further measures.

The High Representative called upon the Council of Ministers to contact the UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat as a matter of urgency. He remains willing to contribute to a solution and hopes that the Council of Europe can also be of help in this regard.